GB 38144-2025 Eye and face protection—Emergency shower and eyewash equipment English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
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ICS 13.340.99
CCS C 73
People's Republic of China National Standard
GB 38144-2025
Replaces GB/T 38144.1-2019, GB/T 38144.2-2019
Eye and face protection—Emergency shower and eyewash equipment
Issued on 2025-08-29 Implemented on 2026-09-01
Issued by State Administration for Market Regulation
Standardization Administration of China
Contents
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Product classification
5 Emergency showers
6 Eyewash equipment
7 Eye/face wash equipment
8 Combination units
9 Marking and instructions
Appendix A (Informative) Supplementary equipment description
Appendix B (Informative) Examples of selection, installation, and commissioning of emergency showers and eyewash equipment
Appendix C (Informative) Examples of maintenance, personnel training, and safety precautions
1 Scope
This document specifies the product classification, technical requirements, marking, and usage instructions for emergency shower and eyewash equipment, and describes corresponding test methods.
This document applies to the design, manufacture, testing, installation, and maintenance of emergency shower and eyewash equipment used for emergency decontamination when workers are accidentally exposed to hazardous chemicals and other dangerous substances in workplaces.
Note: Emergency shower and eyewash equipment does not include personal washing devices, shower hoses, and other supplementary equipment. Descriptions of supplementary equipment are provided in Appendix A.
2 Normative references
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute essential requirements for this document. For dated references, only the editions cited apply. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 10000 Human dimensions of Chinese adults
3 Terms and definitions
The following terms and definitions apply to this document.
3.1
Emergency shower
Equipment capable of delivering sufficient flushing fluid to wash the entire human body for a specified duration during emergencies, to eliminate or reduce adverse symptoms (harmful effects) caused by exposure to hazardous substances.
3.2
Eyewash
Equipment capable of delivering sufficient flushing fluid to wash the eyes for a specified duration during emergencies, to eliminate or reduce adverse symptoms (harmful effects) caused by exposure to hazardous substances.
3.3
Eye/face wash
Equipment capable of delivering sufficient flushing fluid to wash the eyes and face for a specified duration during emergencies, to eliminate or reduce adverse symptoms (harmful effects) caused by exposure to hazardous substances.
3.4
Flow pressure of flushing fluid
Pressure value at the inlet of emergency equipment when the valve is fully open with flushing fluid flowing.
3.5
Flushing fluid
Liquid sprayed from emergency shower and eyewash equipment to wash away toxic and hazardous substances.
Note: For fixed emergency showers and eyewash equipment, the flushing fluid is generally potable water.
3.6
Valve activator
Device controlling valve opening and closing.
3.7
Self-contained
A form where the equipment itself can contain flushing fluid and can be used independently.
3.8
Combination units
Units composed of emergency showers, eyewash, or eye/face wash equipment.
3.9
Flushing liquid temperature
Temperature value of flushing fluid sprayed from emergency shower and eyewash equipment.
3.10
Freeze protection
Measures to protect flushing fluid in emergency shower and eyewash equipment from freezing to prevent it from becoming unusable.
Note: Freeze protection includes mechanical valve protection, electric heat tracing protection, or other equivalent measures.
4 Product classification
Emergency shower and eyewash equipment are classified into:
a) Emergency showers;
b) Eyewash equipment;
c) Eye/face wash equipment;
d) Combination units.
5 Emergency showers
5.1 Structure
The main components of emergency showers include shower head, control valve, and valve activator, as shown in Figure 1.
Note: The shower head includes spray head and cover (if any).
5.2 Technical requirements
5.2.1 General requirements
5.2.1.1 The temperature of flushing fluid sprayed from emergency showers shall comply with the temperature range specified by the manufacturer in the instructions.
5.2.1.2 When correctly connected to the flushing fluid supply source and with the valve closed, no visible leakage shall occur when tested according to method 5.3.1.
5.2.1.3 When tested according to method 5.3.2, emergency showers shall provide flushing fluid at a flow rate of at least 76 L/min for continuous washing for at least 15 minutes.
5.2.1.4 The vertical height of the lowest point of the shower head shall be designed according to GB/T 10000. When tested according to method 5.3.3, this distance shall be 2,080 mm to 2,440 mm from the user's standing plane.
5.2.1.5 At a location 1,520 mm ± 5 mm above the user's standing plane, when tested according to method 5.3.4, the minimum shower coverage diameter shall be 510 mm. When tested according to method 5.3.5, the dispersion pattern of flushing fluid shall remain consistent and fully spread out, meeting the following requirements:
— Within a 510 mm diameter cylinder, the percentage of flushing fluid volume shall be ≥60% of the total spray volume;
— Within an 800 mm diameter cylinder, the percentage of flushing fluid volume shall be ≥80% of the total spray volume.
5.2.1.6 When tested according to method 5.3.6, within a cylinder centered on the shower head with a minimum radius of 410 mm from the shower head to the user's standing plane, there shall be no obstacles except for the valve activator.
5.2.1.7 Emergency showers shall be made of materials that do not contaminate the flushing fluid. The manufacturer shall declare the materials used on permanent markings and specify the standards complied with in the instructions.
5.2.2 Control valve
5.2.2.1 When tested according to method 5.3.7, the valve shall fully open within 1 second and spray flushing fluid. Once opened, the valve shall remain fully open unless intentionally closed by the user.
5.2.2.2 When tested according to method 5.3.8, the vertical height from the valve activator to the user's standing plane shall be designed according to GB/T 10000 and shall not exceed 1,730 mm.
5.2.2.3 The control valve shall be made of materials that do not contaminate the flushing fluid and shall be corrosion-resistant. The manufacturer shall specify the valve materials and complied standards in the instructions.
5.2.3 Special requirements for emergency shower rooms
5.2.3.1 When tested according to method 5.3.9, emergency shower rooms shall provide an obstacle-free space with a radius of at least 450 mm centered on the shower head.
5.2.3.2 When emergency shower rooms have doors, the door opening direction shall be consistent with the direction of approach to the emergency shower and eyewash equipment, and the door shall not be lockable.
5.3 Test methods
5.3.1 Connect the equipment to the flushing fluid supply source, close the valve, and test at
